All LA County Library locations will be closed on Wednesday, December 25, 2024 and Wednesday, January 1, 2025 in observance of Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Libraries will close at 5 pm on December 24 and December 31. Our digital library is open 24/7.
Do you know a Spanish-speaking adult who wants to learn basic reading and writing skills? LA County Library offers a free, pre-ESL literacy course that teaches Spanish-speaking adults the basics of how to read and write in Spanish. The online course consists of 43 self-paced instructional lessons (each lesson has six sections). Students have two options to participate in this program: in-person at a designated library or virtually.
Leamos is a web-based course designed by Centro Latino for Literacy to help non-literate Spanish-speaking adults learn the sounds of the alphabet, read and write simple words, and learn writing skills in Spanish. The course is not a Spanish as a second language course and was designed for adults who never went to school or who attended for only 1 – 2 years.
Students can access the courses with any internet connection using a smartphone, tablet or laptop/desktop computer. The average course completion is 100 – 150 hours or 3 – 5 months. The time of completion varies depending on the weekly hours a student dedicates to the course. It is recommended that students dedicate 4 – 8 hours per week to their coursework. Students can complete part of the course at home if they have access to the internet.
In-Person Leamos
Currently, Leamos is available in-person at two libraries. If attending in-person, students can borrow laptops for use during the program. Seating is limited and given on a first come, first serve basis. To reserve your seat or for more information, please call Adult Literacy staff at 562.367.0500.
For students who are not able to visit a library, Leamos is also available online. Students can complete the lessons online and can access them with an internet connection. If students need a device, they can borrow a laptop from their local library.
To enroll in the program, students will need to visit an LA County Library location and fill out a Diagnostic Exam to see if they are eligible for the program. This will take no more than 15 minutes and once signed up, the student can begin their classes online.
If you are interested in enrolling in Online Leamos, please call Adult Literacy staff at 562.367.0500.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does this program cost?
This program is offered free of charge. We do require that customers sign-up for a library card to participate in the program and access the online portal.
I speak English fluently. Can I sign up for this program to learn Spanish?
This program is for non-English speakers to learn the basics of reading and writing in Spanish. There are resources such as Mango Languages for English speakers who want to learn Spanish.
Who do I call if I get stuck on the classes?
You can call Adult Literacy staff at 562.367.0500 if you need assistance.
Online Language Resources
Here are a few links to help those who can already read and write in Spanish, but need help learning English as a second language:
Mango Languages offers free self-paced classes in over 70 languages. Mango adapts to your unique learning style, so you pick up on new vocabulary, intuit unfamiliar grammatical structure, and train your pronunciation, all while boosting your cultural IQ. Mango also offers ESL courses in Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, Japanese, and other languages.
Pumarosa is a phonetic and bilingual site designed to help you learn English as quicky and easily as possible. All levels. Click on Nivel Principante.
USA Learns teaches reading, writing and speaking English skills with videos and quizzes. Levels 1-6. It also includes courses for the U.S. Citizenship exam and to improve your job skills. You must have an email address.
Starfall is a platform with untimed, multisensory interactive games that allow children to see, hear, and touch as they learn. It provides Basic ABCs and basic reading skills. For beginners.
Online Digital Literacy Resources
Career Online High School is a free, self-paced online high school diploma and career certificate program for adults, ages 19 and over, available through LA County Library. Students who live in LA County Library service area, are 19 years of age or older, and have a library card can participate. Students will have up to 18 months to complete 36 semester credits, and they can transfer credits from their previous school.
Leamos Program Schedule
Due to holiday hours, Leamos Literacy Program classes at Huntington Park Library will not take place on 12/24/2024 and 12/31/2024. Classes will resume on 1/7/2025.
Note that all LA County Library locations will close at 5 pm on December 24 and December 31.
Many of our libraries offer enhanced resources, computers, and online services to support your homework needs. Check with your local library!
Kindle Paperwhite eReader
Welcome to a New Way to Read...
Have you walked into a library and wished you could check out more books than you could possibly carry? Check out a Kindle Paperwhite at participating libraries with a collection of titles that you are sure to enjoy. Each Kindle has been loaded with expert-selected books.
You don’t need internet access - all the books are pre-loaded onto the Kindle so you are ready to read.
Three week checkout
Renew up to 3 times, as long as no one else is waiting
Must be 18 or older (or under 18 with parent permission)
eBooks cannot be added to this device by user
How do I get one?
Visit a participating library to check out or place a hold on a Kindle Paperwhite. Kindles are not sent to other libraries for pick up.
Note: Selection of genres varies per library. Click on a library below to see the list of genres.
Library Locations with eReaders
Click on the library to view list of genres available.
Terms of Service and Laptop Library Locations
Laptops in this kiosk can be checked out by customers with a LA County Library card in good standing. The laptop is due back in the kiosk before the library closes on the same day it is checked out.
If you do not return the laptop to the kiosk on the same day you check it out, your library account will be charged the full replacement cost of the laptop.
When you check out a laptop from this kiosk, you agree to use it within the library only. If you remove the laptop from the library, you may held criminally responsible for theft of the laptop and/or be charged the full replacement cost of the laptop.
You are responsible for the laptop and you agree that you will reimburse the LA County Library for any damages if the laptop is damaged, lost or stolen while checked out to you.
If you check out a laptop and it is damaged, you will give it to library staff immediately.
You must save to a removable storage device (such as a USB drive) since your work will not be saved to the laptop beyond your current checkout.
LA County Library will not be held responsible for any damage or loss of data or media due to any cause while you are using a laptop from this kiosk.
By using this laptop, you must adhere to the Library’s Acceptable Use Policy. Laptops are available at the following libraries:
With your LA County Library card, you can download or stream eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, music, and movies on your computer, tablet, or phone. It's free and you'll never have to worry about overdue fines!
You'll need a library card in good standing and a PIN to access most downloadable & streaming content.
Consumer Health Information Program
The Consumer Health Information Program assists the public with medical research by providing information from reliable sources. Customers are invited to use the Norwalk Library collection which consists of books, magazines, videos, and online databases related to health topics. We also provide individualized research services.
Please be aware, we do not provide medical advice, nor are the materials we provide a substitute for a professional medical opinion.
What Can We Do for You?
We can provide you with information on topics such as:
Medical conditions or diseases
Prescription medications
Surgical procedures
General physician and hospital information
Book and website recommendations for further reading
A Family Place Library is a center for early childhood information, parent education, emergent literacy, socialization, and family support. Family Place builds on the knowledge that good health, early learning, parent involvement, and supportive communities play a critical role in young children's growth and development. Each Family Place Library features the following core elements:
A bright, colorful, and welcoming space for young children and their parents.
A collection of books, toys, videos, music, and other materials for babies, toddlers, parents, and service providers
Access to resources that emphasize emergent literacy, reading readiness, and parent education.
Developmentally appropriate programming, such as baby and toddler storytimes for younger children and their parents.
Outreach to new and underserved populations.
The Parent-Child Workshop is a five-week workshop featuring local professionals, such as nutritionists, speech and language therapists, and child development experts, who serve as resources for parents.
The first three years of a child's life lay the foundation for learning. Get the tools and resources you need to give your child the best possible start.
Great! Thank you for sharing your photos with Catalina PhotoShare, a community history project of LA County Library.
Your photos will be reviewed and if they meet the criteria, they will be added to the Catalina PhotoShare online collection.
If you have any questions, please contact: digitalprojects@library.lacounty.gov
LA County Library Californiana Collection
Accessing the Collection
The Californiana Collection is in closed stacks at the Norwalk Library located at 12350 Imperial Hwy, Norwalk, CA 90650.
About the Collection
The Californiana Collection consists of over 24,000 books and over 200 magazine and newspaper titles in paper and on microfilm as well as a collection of state documents including state and county budgets. The goal of this collection is to present a complete picture of the history, culture, environment and artistic expression of the people of California and to some extent, the western United States.
Collection Highlights
California Census Schedules from 1850 to 1910
Copies of The Alta California newspaper 1849-1891, as well as dozens of other 19th century newspapers from Gold Rush boomtowns, the Owens Valley and San Francisco
Official city and county histories from the 19th and 20th centuries
Materials on the Donner Party, California water projects, famous California crimes, Hollywood culture, biographies of Californians, pioneer narratives of the early days of California, and histories of the state written over the course of 150 years
